Suction milking-machine.



K. K. IVIcLEOD.

SUCTION IVIILKING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-20| i915.

Patented July 11, 1916.

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K. K. McLEOD.

sucloN MILKING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.20, |915.

l l Patented July 11, 1916.

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APPLICATION FILED AUG.20, 1915- www@ Patented July 11, 1916.

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lill TT KENNETH K..1V[CLEOD, OF ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA.

sUoTioiv irritante-MACHINE.

Application led. August 20, 1915.

To all whom-z5 may concern.'

Be it known thatl, KENNETH K. MoLnoD, a citizenvof the United States,residing at St. Pauhin the county of Ramsey and State of Minnesota, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Suction Milking-Machines, of which the'followingis a specification. i

My invention relates to suction milking machines of the type where thepumping members are moved from oneset of cows to another,andhas for itsobject to prov-ide such a milking machine wherein-the pumping members,valves and suction members are assembled as a single unit, and whereinthepower transmissionmember is of such a flexible nature as to bereadily adapted to any combinations of stanchions ina barn.

It is an especial object of my invention to provide means for drawingthe milk directly into the pumping cylinders through tubes embodyingcheek and release valve mechanism and releasing the milk successivelyfrom said cylinders by means of .a doublef flap valve having its partsyieldingly connected and operating inunison alternately to open. andclose the bottom of eachpumping cylinder.

Inmy machine the assemblage is so well unified that the pumpingmember-is readily .placed in communication with `the power member, andthat an ordinary pail ormilkcan may be employed, the whole-being readilymoved from one cow to another.

The full objects and advantages of my invention will appear inconnection :with the detailed description thereof and `are particularlypointed out in the. claims.

In the drawings, illustrating the application of my invention in oneform, Figure 1 isa plan view of ay portion of a barnwith a double row ofstanchions, showing the larrangement of the power transmission memberofmyinvention and the attachmentof thepumpi-ngmember tothe powerl memberat oneof the pumping stations. Fig. 2 is anendA elevational view of someof the parts shownin Fig. 1. Fig. 3 iis a` fragmentary sidezelevationalview of some of theparts shown in Figsl and 2. Fig. .4. is asideelevational central sectional viewy of the pumping member and a portionofthe power transmission member. Fig.r 5 is alongitudinal sectionalviewvof the parts shownin'Fig. 4 taken through the centralaXis ofone of thepumping cylinders. Figs. 6 and .7 are Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 11, 1916.

Serial N o; 46,414.

side sectional elevational and rear elevational views, respectively, ofone of the arms of the rocker element of my power transmission memberand of a portion ofthe pump rods showing the manner of attaching andlocking the pump rods to the rocker arms. Fig. 8 is a side elevationalview ofV my power jack shown in Fig. 2 drawn to a larger scale. Fig. 9is a view similar' to Fig. 8

sholyving a modified form of applying said Jac My milking system isshown in Figs. 1, 2

and 3 installed in a barn 10 having a double cinity ofthe stanchions ofthe cattle or any other convenient place and return again to said jack1G, asclearly shown in Figs. l, 2 andB. At each of-the milking stationsis secured to cable 14 a pair of keeper lugs 17 which engage with sides18 and '19 of the vertical arm 20 of a rocker member 21, also situatedat every station, as best seen in Figs. fl and 5. The rocker member 21`comprises two oppositely-extending horizontal arms 22 and 23 yas wellas the aforementioned .arm 20, andispivoted to oseillate on a casting 24which is stiffened by a brace 25. Casting 24 .and brace 25 are bothsecured to an upright or post 26 purposely erected for their support, orthey may be secured to any other available means. The arm 2O of rockermember 21 is provided with a slot 27 through -which the cable 14 passes,said slot allowing cable lil `to travel `forth and back in a straightline, giving oscillation to rocker member 2l by means of the keeper lugs17.

Thepower used to operate my system may betaken from any suitable source,as an engine 28, andis transmitted by a belt 29 or other `means tothejack 16 previously referred to. The fra-me of jack 16, as seen inFigs.f23 and 8,V comprises a pair of standards 30 and lrattaehed to abase 32. Two shafts 33 and Stare journaled in the-uprights 30 4 and `3land areprovided with gears 35 and 36 secured thereto landmeshing witheach other. `Shattt is further provided Y with a pulley 37 to which thepower is taken when a cow is milked by hand. 'A

modification of the method of giving recip`- vrocating motion to thecable '14'is shown in vF ig. 9, where the cranks38 and 39 of Fig. 8

are replaced by a single crank 44 and a link i '45, which oscillate arocker member 46 lto which theV ends 42 and Y n 43 ofcable 14 areattached.

Themilking member of my invention conysists ofv ajpumping membercomprising two cylinders 47 and 48, a pair of teat attach- `ment members90 and 91, means fors'uccessively drawing the milk fromtwo teats at atime into the pump, and meansfor disv "charging the milk into a suitablereceptacle.

Cylinders 47 and' 48 are nearly vertical and are li'eld together bymeans of a ring clamp 49 vanda lbase plate 50 supplied with hookmeinbers 51 and 52 adapted to seat in U-shaped members 53 Vand 54screwed topost 26. The pump is prevented from being pulled oil' from itsfastenings on post 26 by means of a latch 55, shown in Fig. 5 in fulllines holding-.the pump in place and in dotted lines in Fig. 4 forallowing the pump to be removed. By this means said pump can be movedfrom one station to another and se- 1 curely fastened at each station.

Cylinders 47 and ,48'are supplied with pistons 56 and 57 comprisingleather suction members 58 clamped between disks 59 y 4 and 5.

`their upper extremities with pieces 62 which and 60 screwed on the endsof piston rods The lubrication of pistons 56 and 57 is procured bypouring water in the top of the cylinders 47 rand 48, as shownin Figs.Piston rods 61 are `provided at project out at right angles from saidrods and which are grooved at V63 to form heads 64.

In putting the pumps Yinto operation pieces 62 are inserted intolongitudinal grooves 65 in arms 22 and 23 of rocker member y21 near thecenter of said rockermember,

where'the travel of the arms 22 and 273 is vleast, and slid outward todrop into holes 66 passing completely through arms 22 and 23. `Pieces 62are vkept in place by means of latches67 having notches 68 which engagewith the grooves 63 of said `pieces and seat I i 1 the same againstheads 64, Means are hence provided for quicklyl and easily attachinganddetaching the pump from the posts 26 and the piston rods from therocker members 21.

The cylinder base plate 50 is provided with two openings 70 and 71communicating with the interiors of the cylinders 47 and 48 and -with adischarge chamber 72 formed by means of a funnel 73 having a milk out-.let 74 and being removably attached to said base plate 50. Openings 70and 71 are normally closed by means of a unitary Valve comprising valveiiaps 75 and 76 pivoted in a pair of lugs 77 and 78 extending down frombase plate 50. Lugs 77 and 78 meet at 79 to inclose a compression spring8() which acts between projections 81 and 82 on valve flaps 75 and 76and tends to normally keep said valve flaps seated, as shown in Fig. 4,said position of flap 7 being shown in dotted lines. lVhen one of saidiiaps uncovers its opening said lap exerts a pressure on spring whichcommunicates said pressure to the other Hap, causing it to become`quickly and positively sealed. Each cylindei' is provided with a pairof milk inlets 69 which communicate through stop cocks 83, through ballcheck valves 84, through tubes 85, 86, 87 and 88 and by means of milkcups 89 of teat attachment members 90 and 91 with the cows teats. Theinlets 69 further communicate with release valves 92 held seated bycompression coil springs 93, the compression of which can be regulatedby a thumb nut 94.

The operation of my milking machine is as follows. The cable 14 in itsreciprocating motion oscillates all of the rocker members 26. Thuspistons 56 and 57, connected with one of said arms, are alternatelyraised and. lowered in the cylinders 47 and 48. It will be noted thatpiston rods 61 cannot travel in line with the axis of the cylinders,but, due to the form of piston employed, this does not detract from theeiliciency of operation. At the beginning of the up-stroke of piston 56a vacuum will be created in cylvinder 47 which opens the valves 84 ontubes and 87 and seats valve flap 7 5. During "the up-stroke milk is drawn from the cows teats through the tubes 85 and 87 into the cylinder47, the milk not reaching a height 'great enough to come in contact withthe leather 58.

When the direction of travel of piston 56 is reversed the valve iiap 75is opened, and valves 84 on tubes 85 and 87, and valve flap 76 areclosed. During the down-stroke of piston 56 the milk in cylindei 47 isforced through opening 70, through discharge chamber 72, throughdischarge outlet 74 into any suitable receptacle 95. It

will be noted that the same operations occur in cylinder 48 though theyare alternate with those of cylinder 47. Hence the cylinders 47 and 48produce alternate suctions in tubes 85, 87 and 86, 88, and producecontinual discharge through outlet 74, milking pairs ofV thecows teatsyalternately, similar to the method-I employedA in hand milking. Thedegree' of vacuuml` desired can beregulated bythe spring 93 and thumbnut- 9a of the release valve 9521,y giving separate control over eachpair of teats of each cow. This operation' of the milking machine takesplace until a cow 'or cows have been milked dry, whereupon the milkingmember is removed and set up at the next station. Figs. l and 2 show twosets of milking attachments and 91 for milking two cows at once, thusexpedit-ing theprocess.

As can 'be clearly seenfin the drawings, the milk at no time comes inlcontact with any leather or other substance tending to contaminate it,and the action causing the milk to be drawn from the cows teats anddischarged in a receptacle'ismade positive by use of the unitary valveand the'use of both the suction and compression strokes oi thc pumps,which are quite essential to eiiicient milking machines.

An especially advantageous feature of my milking' machine consists inthe very short lengths ofl tubing through which the milk must travel andtheaccessibility of all parts subjected tothe milkfor cleaning purposes.The milking tubes may be inse ted in hot water and with a very fewstrokes of the pump all parts subjected to the action of the milk can bereadily cleaned, including the valves and the milking tubes. There areno stationary members subjected to milk travel and all parts of theapparatus may, after cleansing, be inserted in water to be kept inthebest'of condition for the next milking.

The release-valve mechanism in combination with the milking tubes makesit possible accurately to regulate the suction force applied through anytube in accordance with the requirements of the cow being milked, whichis a matter of prime advantage in devices of this character.

I claim:

1. A milking apparatus comprising two parallel spaced members eachextending entirely across the barn, means for simultaneouslyreciprocating both said members, a plu -ality of rocking arms eachhaving operative connection with one or the other of said' members, anda milking machine comprising a pair of upright cylinders with pistons insaid cylinders and piston rods adapted to be connected for operationwith any oi said rocking arms.

2. Amilking apparatus comprising a rotary member having a pair ofoppositelyextended arms, a unitary cable attached at its ends to saidarms, a series of pulley guides for causing said cable to extend in apair of spaced parallel runs acrossthe barn, means for rotating saidmember and arms to reciprocate the cable, a plurality of rocking armseach having operative connection with one or the other of saidf arms,and a milking machine comprising a pair of upright cylinders withpistons in said cylinders andpiston rodsadapted to be connected foroperation with any ofsaid rocking arms.

3. A milking apparatus comprising a reciprocating member having a pairof spaced lugs thereon, al three-armed rocker member pivoted so that oneof saidarms extends between said lugs, a` suction pump comprising a pairof upright pumpcylinders each having a discharge opening, pistons insaid cylinders, pistoni rods connecting said pistons with the ends ofthe two other rocker arms for simultaneously reciprocating said pistonsin opposite directions, and valve mechanism beneathsaid openings foralternately opening and closing the pump cylinders.

4:; AA milking apparatus comprising a reciprocating member having a pairof spaced lugs thereon, a three-armed rocker member pivoted so that oneof said armsextends between saidi lugs, a suction pump comprising a pairofupright' pump cylinders each hav'- ing a discharge opening, pistons insaid cylinders, piston rod's connecting said pistons with the ends ofthe two other rocker arms for simultaneously reciprocating saidpistonsin opposite directions, and a double valve yieldingly connectedso that both parts move in unison for alternately opening and closingeach cylinder.

5. A milking apparatus comprising a reciprocating member having a pairof spaced lugs thereon, a three-armed rocker member pivoted so that oneof' said arms extends between said lugs, a suction pump comprising apair of upright pump cylinders each having a discharge opening, pistonsin said cylinders, piston rods connecting said pistons with the ends ofthe two other rocker arms for simultaneouslyreciprocating' said pistonsin opposite directions, and a double valve yieldingly connectedL so thatboth parts move in unison for alternately opening andclosing eachcylinder, said-valve being operated by the joint action ofthecompression and suction strokes of said pistons.

6. A; milking machine comprising a pair ofi upright pump cylinders eachhaving a discharge opening, pistons in said cylinders, means forsimultaneously reciprocating said pistons in opposite directions, and adouble valve yieldingly connected so that both parts move in unison foralternately opening and closing each cylinder.

7. A milking machine comprising a pair of upright pump cylinders eachhaving a discharge opening, pistons in said cylinders, means forsimultaneously reciprocating said pistons in opposite directions, and adouble valve yieldingly connected so that both parts move in unison foralternately opening and closing each cylinder, said valve being operatedby the joint action of the in .opposite directions, milking tubes con-.

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compression and suction strokes of such Y pistons.

8. A milking machine comprising a pair of upright pump cylinders eachhaving a discharge opening, pistons in said cylinders, means forsimultaneously reciprocating said vpistons in opposite directions,milking tubes connected with each of said cylinders, and a double valveyieldingly connected so that both parts move approximately together foralternately opening and closing the discharge openings of the twocylinders.

9. A milking machine comprising a casing-formed with a pair of inletopenings at the top and a discharge opening at the bottom,;a pair ofupright pump cylinders connected with said casing and communicating i-therewith through said respective upper openings, pistons in .saidcylinders, means for simultaneously reciprocating said pistons nectedwith each of said-cylinders above the openings into the casing, andvalve mechanism in saidcasing for alternately 'opening and closing saidinlet openings, said valves being simultaneously actuated 'by theforcing and suction action of the pistons in the respective cylinders.

10. A milkingl machine comprising a chamber formed with a pair of inletopenings at the top and a discharge opening at the bottom,'a pair ofupright pump cylindersconnected with said chamber and communicatingtherewith through said respective upper openings, pistons in saidcylinders, means for simultaneously reciprocating said pistons inopposite directions, milking tubes connected with each of said cylindersabove the openings into the chamber, and a pair of iiap valves in saidchamloer spring-held normally to close each of said openings andactuated by the air forcing and suction action of the pistons in therespective cylinders alternately to open and close communication withsaid cylinders.

1l. A milking machine comprising a chamber formed with a pair of inletopenings at the top and a discharge opening at the bottom, a pair ofupright pump cylinders connectedwith said chamber and communicatingtherewith through said respective upper openings, pistons in said cylin-A ders, meansl for simultaneously reciprocating said pistons inVopposite directions, milking 'tubes connected with each of saidcylinders above the openings into the chamber, a pairof pivoted valvesin the chamber each adapted to close one of said openings, and

spring means normally tending to hold said valves closed, actuation ofsaid valves to effectV properly timed, opening and closing resultingromthe air forcing and suction action ,o t the pistons in the respectivecylinders. f -V 12. A .milking 4machine comprising a chamber formed witha pair of inlet openings at the top and a discharge opening at thebottom, a pair of upright pump cylinders connected with said chamber andcoinmunicating therewith through said respective upper openings, pistonsin said cyliiiders, means for simultaneously reciprocating said pistonsin opposite directions, milking tubes connected with each of saidcylinders above the openings into the chamber, a pair of pivoted valvesin the chamber each adapted to close one of said openings, and a singlespring engaging each of said valves and tending normally to hold both ofthem closed, opening of either of the valves increasing the etlectiveforce of the spring ap` plied to the other valve to hold the sameclosed.

13. A milking machine comprising a chamber and a. pair of uprightcylinders each connected and in comniui'iication therewith, pistons insaid cylinders, means for simultaneously reciprocating said pistons inopposite directions, a pair of valves in said chamber each normallyclosing communication/with one ot said cylinders, and spring meanswithin the chamber for holding said valves in said closing positions.

14. A milking machine comprising a chamber formed with a pair of inletopenings at the top and a discharge opening at the bottom, a pair ofupright pump cylinders connected with said chamber and communicatingtherewith through said respective upper openings, pistons in saidcylinders, means for simultaneously reciprocating said pistons inopposite directions, milking tubes connected with each of said cylindersabove the openings into the chamber, a release valve in each of saidmilking tubes for limiting the 'torce oi the suction stroke, and a.valve mechanism in said chamber for alternately opening and closingcommunication therefrom to the cylinders.

15. A milking machine comprising a chamber :formed with a pairrof inletopenings at ,the top and a discharge opening at the bottom, a pair ofupright pump cylinders connected with said chamber and comi'nunicatingtherewith through said respective upper openings, pistons in saidcylinders, means for simultaneously reciprocating said pistons inopposite directions,milk ing tubes connected with each of said cylindersabove the -openings into the chamber, a release valve in each of saidmilking tubes for limiting the force of the suction stroke, means foradjusting the effective force of said release valve, and valve mechanismin said Chamber for alternately opening and closing communicationtherefrom to the respective pistons.

16. A milking machine comprising a chamber formed with a pair of inletopenings at the top and a discharge opening at the bottom, a pair ofupright pump cylinders connected with said chamber and communicatingtherewith through said respective upper openings, pistons in saidcylinders, means for simultaneously reciprocating said pistons inopposite directions, milking tubes connected with each of said cylindersabove the openings into the chamber, a release valve in each of saidmilking tubes for limiting the force of the suction stroke, a checkvalve in each of said milking tubes to permit movement of air and milktherethrough only in the direction of the cylinders and valve mechanismin said chamber :for alternately opening and closing communicationtherefrom with each of the respective cylinders.

17. A milking machine comprising a chamber formed with a pair of inletopenings at the top and a discharge opening at the bottom, a pair ofupright pump cylinders connected with said chamber and communicatingtherewith through said respective upper openings, pistons in saidcylinders, means for simultaneously reciprocating said pistons inopposite directions, milking tubes connected with each of said cylindersabove the openings into the chamber, a

check valve in each of said milking tubes for permitting flow of milkand air only in the direction to enter the cylinders, and valvemechanism in said chamber for alternately opening and closingcommunication therefrom with each of the respective cylinders.

1S. A milking apparatus comprising a constantly reciprocating memberoperative throughout a considerable extent Within the barn, a pluralityof rocker arms in several fixed positions within the barn, eachoperatively connected with and continuously rocked by said reciprocatingmembe r, a milking machine unit comprising a milk discharge and valvecontaining chamber, a pair of upright cylinders in communicatie-itherewith with pistons in said cylinders and piston rods adapted to beconnected for operation with any of said rocking arms, and means forremovably holding said milking machine unit in position to be operatedfrom any one of said rocking arms.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

KENNETH K. MCLEOD. Witnesses:

H. A. BowMnN, F. A. WHITELY.

Gopies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, I). C.

